OT-NBA Draft 7PM ET on ESPN

The NBA draft is tonight! There are many rumored trades, a lot of smoke screens, and virtually no way to predict what's going to happen tonight. Come here and share your hopeful picks for the Pistons or whatever team you may follow!

Finally, here's a link to my fledgling blawg that has a few draft posts already. http://www.getsomepistons.com
I plan on posting 2-3 solid posts today and then a Hello post for each draft pick. Tomorrow I'll grade the draft. After that, things will slow down immensely and there's not much to talk about besides the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.

Who do you think the Pistons are sitting on since they won't trade their #8 pick until they see who is available? I actually think they are just waiting to explore all trade options but ESPN seems to be saying that they have all but locked in on Tristan Thompson. He grades out high everywhere but I'd rather take Jonas.

Bobcats would have to make the trade before the draft though since Houston would obviously take the #8 pick for 14 and 23 rather than #9. My buddy told me this morning that he heard that Houston wants Thompson and the Pistons are going to draft him and trade with Houston. Just more rumors.

This would make my heart skip a beat longer than when we briefly had the rights to DJ White before trading him to OKC. Thompson's a good prospect and I'd rather have him than either Morris twin, though, but C>PF-C>>>PF.

He's got a goofy draft range. He did absolutely tank his EuroCamp workout, so teams that would be conventionally wise to select him could pass. He's even been talked about going as high as #5 to Toronto (don't know what this would mean for Amir Johnson).

If Joe tries to draft another 6'5" combo guard I may just strangle him. Stuckey, Terrico White, and Iman Shumpert would be overkill.

It's hard to assign a positionto JaJuan Johnson. Two years ago he has a SF prospect and now he's a PF/C. He's reminding people an awful lot of Tyrus Thomas, who is an athletic specimen for the Charlotte Bobcats but a total knucklehead. I think Johnson is deemed guiilty by association.

I hope you know that the real M fans - and there are many more than the negative ones - wish you nothing but the very best. Of course, we wish you had stayed, but hope for the very best for you! I'm sure you will continue to wow us as we cheer you on as a pro player. (Maybe even as a Piston?)

2010-2011 was an exciting year for Michigan . There will be other players to grow into your place and carry on your legacy. Your hard work last summer with John Wall and tenaciousness and dedication to your teammates demonstrated how much you accomplished. Go Blue!

I speak from a Cavs fan point of view, but after Irving and Williams I don't really see a single prize in the lottery outside of Tristan Thompson. He's already a great defender and rebounder, he's tough as nails, and his offensive game is coming along. The Cavs won't do it, but I'd rather have him than Kanter/Valanciunas/Vesely at #4.

Barring those guys, I think Kawhi Leonard is the type of player every contending team needs. Lockdown defender on the perimeter, can guard three positions, can get to the rim. If he can get his jumper to even a moderate level of consistency, I think he could be a solid role player for a championship team.

The Pistons have Kwahi Leonard and Kemba Walker as their top 2 players at #8 overall and if both are gone, they'll consider Tristian Thompson, Bismack Biyombo and Marcus Morris.

The Pistons will pass on Kemba even if he's available at #8.

Both reports seemingly contridict each other, but the main theme is the Pistons are looking to draft a big man. My hope is they can see through the Euro workout and look at NIKE Summit Hoop game to see his potential as a player. There's a reason why he is the first player ever to record a triple double at 12 pts, 10 reb and 10 blocked shots. He was the best player on the court and was dominant defensively which is why people(including me) are so excited about him because he's NBA ready defensively and has potential to become a good low post scorer. IMO, his floor is Dikembe Mutombo. A good defensive center who can block shot but isn't a great offensive player. His ceiling is Hakeem. A great defensive center who can score. People forget that Hakeem is raw coming out of University of Houston and developed into one of the best player of all time. I'm not saying that Bismack will be the best player of all time but he certainly has potential to be a great player and may end up being the best player in the draft when all is said and done.

Good new for you and me. Bismack has been officially invited to the green room. That means that NBA got a word that he'll be taken in the lottery. I hope the Pistons told them that he won't get by them.

My vote is for Biyombo at #8. Detroit has to re-establish its patented defensive identity and Bismack is the guy to start with. However, reports say his back and knees have worried some teams which to me is a red flag...but Arnie Kander knows what he's doing, so I'm okay with the pick, even with the *gulp* illeged knee problems.

In the 2nd round, I'm praying DMo is there, and praying even more that Joe D. takes him. Yeah, what everyone else said about luck in the future for Mr. Morris...and what better place to spend then in luxurious Auburn Hills, Michigan!!!

Another name that Detroit is reportedly high on is Jimmy Butler at #33. Yes, yes, and more yes. The guy brings intensity, heart, and defense, and the last time I checked, we need all of those things.

Conflicting reports. Woj says it's Thompson, Givony says Biyombo. Woj has been on fire the last two drafts, so I'm putting my faith in him.

and the effing phone cut off right when it was my turn, but I called back and said my piece and they relayed it to the hosts. My point was that Joe may have been sending out all these smokescreens to manipulate Charlotte, who worked out all of Markieff/Marcus Morris and Tristan Thompson twice each.

johnathan givony is convinced bobcats will take Biyombo at 7 now after the bobcats-kings-bucks three team deal that gives charlotte 7th pick (along with the 9th pick that they already have), bucks get stephen jackson, shaun livingston, beno udrih and 19th pick, kings get john salmons and MIL 10th pick.

maybe Dumars and his staff won't have the chance to decide on all of these Bismack Biyombo issues. chances are they take tristan thompson at 8. or they could deal the 8th for 14 and 23rd picks from houston...

I think we are going to see a lot of action at 8 with the trade that was made. For sure, we will be hearing from the jazz and Rockets, probably Spurs as well. Teams seem to be willing to trade up for Jimmer, Thompson, and Jonas. Let's trade back and get two role players in this weak draft.